Combustible active mass container

ABSTRACT

An active body ( 2 ) is proposed that includes an active mass that comprises multiple flares ( 3, 4 ) arranged behind each other or stacked, in particular for the generation of decoys. The active body ( 2 ) is enclosed in a plastics-like container ( 1 ), such as a plastic film ( 5 ) or a shrink tube ( 7 ). Plastic disks or films ( 8 ) are placed on the end face of the container and are connected to the plastic film ( 5 ) or the plastic shrink tube ( 7 ) by adhesion or heat sealing ( 6 ) so that the plastic container ( 1 ) is hermetically sealed.

This is a Continuation-in-Part Application in the United States of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2010/003566 filed Jun. 15, 2010, which claims priority on German Patent Application No. DE 10 2009 030 871.7, filed Jun. 26, 2009. The entire disclosures of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a combustible active mass container based on plastic film.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Radiofrequency (RF) (chaff) and Infrared (IR) decoy targets, and/or smoke grenades, are used in military applications that have been developed for protection of infantry, artillery, land vehicles, watercraft and aircraft. These products are traditionally designed such that the actual active mass (WM) and a central ignition or brake-up charge are incorporated in a solid active mass container, for example, an aluminum box. The ignition and break up charges are used to break the container up and to ignite and distribute the active masses. In this case, the containers form solid residues in the environment.

One known alternative is to sheath the individual flares that form the active body with a film, such that a packet is constrained in this way. In a parallel application from the same applicant, namely German Patent Application No. DE 10 2009 030 868 A1, a combustible active body casing is proposed, wherein the active bodies are not sheathed by a film or the like, but are encapsulated. The encapsulation is, in this case, for example, in the form of a casing etc., which assists the ignition behavior of the active compound and its components. The ignition can, on the one hand, take place over the surface of the active body, or by means of centrally located ignition along the longitudinal axis. The spectral characteristics of the combustible casing can be optimized by addition of materials to vary the reflection/absorption characteristics. In particular, the injection of the laser radiation can thus be improved, and the ignition speed increased.

The purpose of the present invention is, therefore, to provide an active body that likewise has a casing, which burns away without any residue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is achieved by the features of a first embodiment, which is directed to an active body (2) having a plurality of flares (3, 4), which are arranged or stacked one behind the other as an active mass, in particular, for producing decoy targets, characterized in that the active body (2) is surrounded by a plastic-like container (1). Advantageous refinements of the invention are reflected in the following additional embodiments.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the first embodiment is modified so that the plastic-like container (1) relates to a plastic film (5) or a shrink sleeve (7). In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, the first embodiment or the second embodiment are further modified so that plastic disks or films (8) are fitted at the end and are connected by adhesive bonding or welding (6) to the plastic film (5) or to the sleeve (7), such that the container (1) is hermetically sealed.

In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment, are further modified so that an ignition transmission layer (9) is included at least between the inner wall of the container (1) and the active body (2). In accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment are further modified so that the ignition parameters of the container (1) can be adjusted by coloring (e.g., coloring by blackening) and/or adding additives (e.g., by including nitrocellulose paper or nitrocellulose lacquer, etc. as a component of the material of the container) to the container in order to optimize the energy absorption of the container and/or of the active body held within the container. In accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the fifth embodiment is further modified so that the intermediate layer (6) consists of nitrocellulose (NC) and/or red phosphorus (RP) granulate.

The invention is based on the idea of providing an active mass container concept, which allows the active compounds to be ignited from the outside. At the same time, it is intended to have a protective function for the active masses (i.e., decoy target) against environmental influences, such as moisture, dust, dirt, during storage, transportation and handling. The particular choice of material with corresponding additives allows the activation of the active compounds, for example thermally, inductively, or by means of laser etc., with optimization for the type of activation.

The active mass container concept, in accordance with the present invention, consists of using a plastic film, which may also be shrinkable, to create the container. The stacked single-flare disks are incorporated (embedded) in the plastic film, which is then adhesively bonded, welded or connected in such a manner along the length, or is shrunk onto the disks. Plastic disks or films are fitted to the end faces, and are likewise adhesively bonded or welded. This results in a tearing edge, which assists the opening of the decoy target as it burns away, with the container being hermetically sealed, that is to say it is hermetically sealed and thus ensures the necessary protection against environmental influences. The material choice and the active body design ensure combustion without any residue and complete conversion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to one exemplary embodiment and the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an outline illustration of an active mass container with active compounds, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows one variant of the active mass container from FIG. 1 with closing end faces.

FIG. 3 shows another variant of the active mass container from FIG. 1 with closing end faces.

FIG. 4 shows the active mass container from FIG. 2 with a firing transmission layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, 1 denotes an active mass container for holding an active body 2, consisting of a plurality of individual flares 3, 4, and the container 1 is in this case composed of a plastic. FIG. 2 shows a variant of the container 1, which in this case consists of a plastic film 5. The individual flares 3, 4 are incorporated therein, and the film 5 is adhesively bonded or welded 6 along the length. According to another embodiment of the invention, a sleeve film 7 has been used instead of the plastic film as shown in FIG. 3. In both variants, plastic disks or films 8 are fitted at the end and are connected by adhesive bonding or welding 6 to the plastic film 5 or to the sleeve 7, in such a way that the container 1 is hermetically sealed.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the active mass container 1 that is provided with an ignition transmission layer 9, which is included at least between the inner wall of the container 1 and the active body 2, or the flares 3, 4, and optimizes the ignition or activation of the active body 2. The intermediate layer 9 may consist of NC and/or RP granulate.

The active body 2 can itself be activated by laser radiation, thermally, inductively etc. In other words, the active body 2 may be activated by any means that will ignite the flares 3, 4. 

1. An active body comprising: (a) an active mass comprising a plurality of flares that are arranged or stacked one behind the other for producing decoy targets; and (b) a plastic container that surrounds the active body.
 2. The active body as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic container comprises a plastic film.
 3. The active body as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more plastic disks or films are fitted at one end of the plastic container and are connected by adhesive bonding or welding to the plastic container so that the plastic container is hermetically sealed.
 4. The active body as claimed in claim 1, wherein an ignition transmission layer is included at least between an inner wall of the plastic container and the active body.
 5. The active body as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more ignition parameters of the plastic container are adjusted by coloring the plastic container, or by adding additives to the plastic container, or by both coloring the plastic container and addition of additives to the plastic container, in order to optimize energy absorption of the plastic container.
 6. The active body as claimed in claim 5, wherein the ignition transmission layer includes nitrocellulose granulate, or red phosphorus granulate, or both nitrocellulose granulate and red phosphorus granulate.
 7. The active body as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic container comprises a plastic shrink sleeve.
 8. The active body as claimed in claim 2, wherein one or more plastic disks or films are fitted at one end of the plastic container and are connected by adhesive bonding or welding to the plastic film so that the plastic container is hermetically sealed.
 9. The active body as claimed in claim 7, wherein one or more plastic disks or films are fitted at one end of the plastic container and are connected by adhesive bonding or welding to the plastic sleeve so that the plastic container is hermetically sealed.
 10. The active body as claimed in claim 2, wherein an ignition transmission layer is included at least between an inner wall of the plastic container and the active body.
 11. The active body as claimed in claim 3, wherein an ignition transmission layer is included at least between an inner wall of the plastic container and the active body.
 12. The active body as claimed in claim 7, wherein an ignition transmission layer is included at least between an inner wall of the plastic container and the active body.
 13. The active body as claimed in claim 8, wherein an ignition transmission layer is included at least between an inner wall of the plastic container and the active body.
 14. The active body as claimed in claim 9, wherein an ignition transmission layer is included at least between an inner wall of the plastic container and the active body. 